What is the cost of living in Council Bluffs, IA?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Council Bluffs has an overall cost of living index of 88, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Iowa, Council Bluffs has a cost of living index that's 1.0x lower than Iowa's index of 90.
The standard of living in Council Bluffs ranks as #28 most affordable out of the 85 places we measured in Iowa. By definition, that implies Council Bluffs ranks as the #57 most expensive place in the Hawkeye State.
For more reading on life in Council Bluffs, check out:
Council Bluffs Cost Of Living Vs. Iowa
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Council Bluffs. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Council Bluffs is 101.
The Groceries index in Council Bluffs is 95.
The Health index in Council Bluffs is 75.
The Housing index in Council Bluffs is 100.
The Transportation index in Council Bluffs is 98.
The Utilities index in Council Bluffs is 98.
| Living Expense | Council Bluffs | Iowa | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 88 | 90 | 100 |
| Services | 101 | 99 | 100 |
| Groceries | 95 | 95 | 100 |
| Health | 75 | 75 | 100 |
| Housing | 100 | 97 | 100 |
| Transportation | 98 | 93 | 100 |
| Utilities | 98 | 94 | 100 |
Council Bluffs Cost Of Living Compared To Iowa Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Iowa, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Council Bluffs Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Council Bluffs, IA Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Iowa, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Council Bluffs is $223,906.
The Median Rent in Council Bluffs is $1,030.
The Median Income in Council Bluffs is $64,578.
The Home Value To Income in Council Bluffs is 3.5x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Council Bluffs is 0.19x.
| Statistic | Council Bluffs | Iowa | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $223,906 | $231,584 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $1,030 | $972 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $64,578 | $75,059 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 3.5x | 3.1x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.19x | 0.16x | 0.21x |
Council Bluffs, IA Costs By Category
Detailed Council Bluffs Services costs vs. Iowa
| Item | Council Bluffs | Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Shampoo | $1.23 | $1.28 |
| Movie | $12.12 | $12.13 |
| Bowling | $18.36 | $18 |
| Haircut | $23.69 | $24.26 |
| Beauty Salon | $32.5 | $45.56 |
Detailed Council Bluffs Groceries costs vs. Iowa
| Item | Council Bluffs | Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Beef | $6.11 | $5.84 |
| Fried Chicken | $1.4 | $1.57 |
| Milk | $4.67 | $4.67 |
| Potatoes | $4.5 | $4.93 |
| Pizza | $11.19 | $12.09 |
| Beer | $9.76 | $10.41 |
| Toothpaste | $3.71 | $3.7 |
Detailed Council Bluffs Health costs vs. Iowa
| Item | Council Bluffs | Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $123.1 | $125.68 |
| Doctor | $135.27 | $135.78 |
| Dentist | $90.11 | $113.29 |
Detailed Council Bluffs Transportation costs vs. Iowa
| Item | Council Bluffs | Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $3.22 | $3.46 |
| Tire Balancing | $68.12 | $59.92 |
Detailed Council Bluffs Utilities costs vs. Iowa
| Item | Council Bluffs | Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| All Electricity | $174.82 | $193.99 |
| Phone | $200.78 | $192.25 |
Council Bluffs SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Council Bluffs
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Council Bluffs. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Omaha, NE has a cost of living index of 100, 1.1x Council Bluffs.
Bellevue, NE has a cost of living index of 95, 1.1x Council Bluffs.
Papillion, NE has a cost of living index of 102, 1.2x Council Bluffs.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Council Bluffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE | 488,837 | 100 | 1.1x |
| Bellevue, NE | 64,510 | 95 | 1.1x |
| Papillion, NE | 25,244 | 102 | 1.2x |
| La Vista, NE | 16,563 | 98 | 1.1x |
| Chalco, NE | 10,595 | 95 | 1.1x |
| Plattsmouth, NE | 6,731 | 91 | 1.0x |
| Ralston, NE | 6,472 | 96 | 1.1x |
| Offutt AFB, NE | 6,074 | 108 | 1.2x |
| Glenwood, IA | 5,144 | 93 | 1.1x |
